Thank you Schmalz, Fishmonger and oldranger.....I have decided for sure on the Copper Spur UL1...just have not bought one yet ...What sold me on that one was that side entry and the fact there is a bit more solid fabric going up on the sides...A good tent is the most important item to me to have...besides a warm bag!My tent is like my little bit of comfort I want while I am out in the wilds..so I want a good one.Looking forward on getting a nice new tent!Thank you all again for your comments..was very helpful!

Fishmonger..You mention you have the UL3...I am wonderfing if the UL3 is more comfortable fitting two people instead of three? Do you use yours for two or three? Would like to get another one for when my husband goes with me...the tent we use together is nice but way to heavy!

The 2 is great as a solo, although it does make for a pretty large package. I found the size of the 1, versus the weight penalty for the 2, just wasn't enough for me and I'm willing to carry the difference. The 2 is not that heavy, but it's a big roll. The 2 also fits my wife and I very nicely, at a combined weight well over 300lb (ha ha ha!! I weigh two of her and am 14" taller) with vestibule space good for boots/shoes, hiding our REI tripod stools, etc... and very effective ventilation. It would, however, be pretty darn snug for two dudes over 160lb each...by mountaineering standards, just fine, but certainly "friendly".

The 4 is awesome as a lightweight, freestanding rig for 3. It weighs way less than carrying two tents and has plenty of room for our 3-person family, including a young teen. In fact, it's so light that we'll carry it as a two-some for "high country luxury" for plenty of space and all that nice mosquito netting (starve, fellas!). For 4, it better be the 160lb or less types unless you've got some european coeds that were caught in an August rain with only t-shirts and... well, nevermind.

Thanks Scouter.....It seems if a tent says it's a 3 person..it is most comfortable with only two people..thats how it is with ours...the one we use is a 3 person..but it is perfect for the two of us and all our gear inside including our packs. I was thinking of the UL2 for myself when I go without my husband..but decided just to get the UL1...I am excited to be getting it..hopefully in a few days!Thanks again!

Am I the only person in the world that never puts his pack inside the tent? Carry a large garbage bag to put over my pack. Seems to me that even empty of food a pack will still have food smells. So the pack stays outside, pockets open covered by the bag. Will admit my pack has never been bothered by large or small critters under those conditions but can't see putting my tent at risk.

Mike

Mike

Who can't do everything he used to and what he can do takes a hell of a lot longer!

My backpack is only inside my tent in snowy/snowing conditions, if there's room. Otherwise, it's tied to a tree (so it doesn't tip over) with the same trash compactor bag I've used since the 80's around it.

I do take some "smellables" into the tent, however: usually my ditty bag with a chapstik, some fire starters, some meds, etc... No actual "food", but Yogi might not differentiate much. Of course, I am the largest smellable in the tent.

Whoa! Check out the Big Agnes website. I looks like they are starting to make 2 person tents that actually fit two people! Problem with both is relatively low ceiling height! But they knock off about 3/4 lb from the UL 3 person tents.

Mike

Mike

Who can't do everything he used to and what he can do takes a hell of a lot longer!

Carne, my wife and I have used our BA Fly Creek 2 for quite a few nights in different climates/conditions. The worst problem has been ventilation. We've adjusted by guying the fly out using fulcrums of rock and/or branches to hold the fly up and out and adding a small piece of velcro to hold the door flap partially open, rather than all the way open or shut. I looked at the Platinum and see the mesh now goes all the way down to the tub, rather than the poorly breathing panels that are on the standard version. Reduced weight/increased ventilation. Had I known the problems inherent in the original design I would've chose differently. If the mesh solves the problem (our fly guying and door opening did it for us) then it's worth it in my opinion. I have no complaints otherwise.

Charlie, thank you for the info--exactly the kind of feedback I can use. I'm normally happy with just my OR bivy, but I'll be taking my son out this year for the first time. Since I'll have the increased weight of most of his gear, I'm hoping to shave weight wherever possible. Better ventilation and a pound less? That may have just sold me on the Platinum. Now, will REI special order it and give me the 20% member discount...?